Jane Austen: an inspiration for all
International Women’s Day is a significant time to commemorate women’s cultural, social, economic, political, and historical achievements. Additionally, it is also a time to highlight the many written works of female authors which have had an impact on our society. Think of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein – all these literary works have influenced modern literature. However, we cannot think of important female writers without mentioning Jane Austen who continues to be a pioneer in fiction to this day!
A great writer always starts from somewhere – and it was her childhood and teenage years in which it all began! Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775, in Hampshire, a small village in Steventon, England. She was the second daughter of eight children. The Austen household was quite large, yet highly educated, literate, and creative.
She was taught writing, history, French, geography, and music in her youth. Additionally, she had unlimited access to her father’s personal library, introducing Jane to what would lead to her love of reading. Jane started writing at around the age of 11 as a form of entertainment for her family and friends. However, as she got older, her stories were ‘parodies’ of the current books she was reading, featuring plenty of action. These imaginative compositions were where she discovered her voice and style as a writer.
From 1795 to 1799, she worked on the early drafts for Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Northanger Abbey. Her novel Sense and Sensibility was published in 1810 with the help of her brother Henry. Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, and Persuasion closely followed in publication, around four years later after her first book was released. Additionally, her brother assisted in issuing Northanger Abbey, which appeared several months after Jane’s death on July 18, 1817.
Jane Austen’s literary works have captivated readers for over 200 years and continue to do so through numerous adaptations. Her stories contain relevant themes such as romance, self-discovery, relationships, and social hierarchy. Austen also continues to give us a window into her world and what life was like in the Regency period. Her novels display determination and the importance of staying true to yourself. They also portray heroines who are intelligent, and independent and have shaped their own lives despite the social attitudes and constraints placed upon them.
International Women’s Day is an important day for all of us! Jane Austen, as a female writer, will always inspire countless readers and writers alike, as we continue her legacy and celebrate this author’s global and literary accomplishments.
Ruby C, Year 9